The outbreak the COVID-19 pandemic required the implementation of exceptional measures both at the national and international level. In order to support specialists from bakeries, confectionery, pastry shops, etc., we requested the official opinion of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MADR). According to the answers received, the authorities have initiated several administrative measures to combat the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus and the related economic effects. The main objective of MADR was to support the consumption of Romanian products by capitalizing on local agricultural production.
Steps to normalize activity in the agri-food sector:
1. Permanent consultation of the agri-food sector regarding the vision, proposals and solutions of its representative entities, necessary for the implementation of measures specific to crisis situations launched by the European Commission;
2. Approaches to recognized professional and interprofessional organizations (OP, OIPA, AOP, Cooperatives and Producer Groups), integrated by product sectors, for promoting access to national and European quality schemes;
3. Recognition of agricultural and food products registered on quality schemes, which provides manufacturers with the necessary tools for better identification and promotion of these products;
4. Support by MARD of the approaches submitted by the representative operators of the sector to other ministries. We mention some of them:
– supporting the initiative of the Ministry of Finance to grant tax facilities to important suppliers of packaging for the food industry;
- encouraging the expansion of fiscal facilities offered to SMEs, as well as taking steps in the legislative plan to include on the list of companies receiving funding those companies that are at the interpretable limit of meeting the criteria regarding the stimulation of the establishment and development of small and medium-sized enterprises;
– the inclusion in the category of priority transports of the transport of food products, of the transport of raw materials used in the food industry sector, of perishable goods, agricultural inputs, equipment used in the category of products used in agriculture.
Maintaining food security of the population is one of the MADR priorities
MADR has created and implemented an online platform to support farmers and food producers. More precisely, this platform encourages collaboration with marketing and distribution networks, with the state and interested organizations. According to the authorities, agricultural producers can publish fresh product offers online, and retail networks, individual buyers or other interested entities have direct and quick access to information about available products and their purchase.
Increasing the visibility of products with superior quality characteristics
In addition, MADR carries out actions aimed at ensuring consumer access to high-quality food, as well as increasing demand for such products. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, agro-food products certified by quality schemes it represents a certainty and a guarantee for consumers that the respective products are of superior quality. On the other hand, for producers and processors, product certification brings an advantage in commercial relations, thus differentiating itself from the competition.
Taking into account the guidelines of the future Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) - 2021-2027, the authorities propose to increase the visibility of products with superior quality characteristics through the following activities:
- supporting producers who want to obtain agro-food products certified on quality systems through information and promotion campaigns; their purpose is to increase the number of products certified by MADR, but also those recognized at European level;
– facilitating access to financing through European programs – marketing and promotion – ENJOY, IT'S FROM EUROPE;
- the adoption of a flexible legislative framework, so that consumers can benefit from quality and nutritious products directly from producers, with advantageous prices;
– funding for the promotion and support of quality systems, through specific measures that use FEADR resources: Measure 3 – “Quality schemes for agricultural and food products” with the two submeasures: Submeasure 3.1 – “Support for first-time participation in quality schemes” and Submeasure 3.2 – “Support for the information and promotion activities carried out by producer groups within the internal market";
– supporting horizontal and vertical cooperation between actors in the supply chain (Submeasures 16.4 and 16.4a): participation in fairs and exhibitions, reconsidering the attitude of retailers by creating new areas specially allocated to the sale of domestic products, registered on quality schemes.
Source: Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, based on the Arta Albă request registered at the Press and Public Relations Service (no. 111121/20.07.2020)
